California Wagon Train Lists, Louis J. Rasmussen, San Francisco Historic Records, 1994Mr Rasmussen spent over 30 years preparing this book. Information was gleaned from newspapers, rare books and special collections at major California libraries. It lists the names of an estimated 15,000 people who crossed the plains by wagon train during the period from April 1849 to October 1852. Some people are listed individually and others as members of groups or companies traveling together. Each listing is preceded by a source citation. About one third of the book is devoted to a surname index which lists all of the people mentioned in the body of the work.
If you feel that your ancestors crossed the plains during this time period, you should definitely check this source for information about them. Also, check for the names of other families that you think might have been traveling with them.
Some California libraries that have the above item:
- Berkeley, University of California Berkeley Bancroft Library, F593 .R361 1994 Reference v. 1 (1994)
- Oakland, Oakland Main Library, 929.3 RASMUSSEN
- Sacramento, California State Library, F593 .R28 1994 California
- Sacramento, California State Library, F593 .R28 1994 California Non Circ
- San Carlos, San Carlos Library, 929 R v.1
- San Francisco, Sutro Library, F593 .R28 1994 v.1
- Santa Clara, Santa Clara Library, GR 929.3794 R22